Life Skills Coach

Job Description:

The Life Skills Coach reports directly to the Residential Manager and works under the support and supervision of the Program Director and Arete Partnership. 

The Life Skills Coach is responsible for working with the Transition team to facilitate the Arete programming schedule and support participants in completion of their goals, tasks and responsibilities. Tasks include attending Arete programming, assisting with program assignments, supporting participants needs, and motivating participants that are struggling to participate to their fullest potential. The role primary involves direct service with Arete participants in the service of implementing program activities, milieu and community culture, seasonal plans, and program objectives.

Time and task analysis will be conducted by the Residential Manager and their supervisor to best assess how the Life Skills Coach's responsibilities may be met within their schedule. And what responsibilities may be adjusted, improved, and new responsibilities implemented. A Performance review will be conducted on a bi-annual basis, both a self-assessment and a supervisory review.

Responsibilities:

Participant Direct Support:

• Facilitate weekly program grocery shopping outing.
• Plan and facilitate evening activities (community dinner, game night, mis-en-place, social activity, movie night, etc).
• Assist participants on the Groundwork Benchmark with managing the program schedule and making it to appointments.
• Accompany participants on Groundwork phase around town.
• Plan and participate in City Orienteering activity for new participants.
• Be a strong role model of functional adult behavior per Arete staff expectations.
  • Professional
  • Organized
  • Intentional
  • Solutions Oriented
• Schedule and complete weekly formal apartment checks with participants.
• Assist participants with personal budgets.
• Participate in program activities and community events and role model a “Do With” approach and attitude.
• Coordinate tasks, goals, assignments, and benchmark expectations with Participants Coach and Program Director.
• Assess challenges that arise for participants and support them in resolving them.
• Support the daily schedule and program operations for participants needs and benchmark expectations.
• Uphold all Arete Transitions program expectations with participants, family members, and team members.
• Maintain program expectations regarding:
  • Curfew
  • Technology Use
  • Personal Finances
  • Personal Vehicles
  • Guests at Arete
  • Home Visits
  • Advocacy Board
  • Benchmark Progressions
• Support and Participate in recreational and social activities and trips: 
  • Rec. Leagues
  • Day Trips
  • Occasional overnight trips
  • Weekend and evening activities and events
• Support Participants with setting and achieving their goals.
• Understand each Arete Benchmark and it’s expectations, responsibilities, and privileges.
• Assist participants with problem solving, motivation, and engagement.
• Support with Participant Family visits to Arete Transitions.
• Assist in managing Arete Apartments with participants (educate, instruct, role model).
• Support weekly Arete Transitions Community meeting
• Serve as a member on the Participant Advocacy Board.

Administrative and Programming:

• Complete paperwork in a timely manner.
• Write shift notes daily
• Read shift notes and updates from team members about their work with participants.
• Understand each Arete Benchmark and its expectations, responsibilities, and privileges.
• Support Benchmark Reviews and Advocacy Board presentations with participants.
• Provide insight on program tasks related to direct client support responsibilities.
• Maintain notes on participant’s assignments from workshops and goals.
• Develop competency in Arete Tech, Google Drive, Calendar, BambooHR, Alleva, and more.
• Maintain working knowledge of the daily, weekly, Participant, and Staff calendars.

Training/Development/Supervision:

• Seek opportunities for external training and certifications.
• Attend the weekly staff meeting.
• Attend a supervision meeting once a week with your supervisor.
• Meet regularly with Coaches and program leadership.
• Work independently, complete paperwork on time, solve problems when they come up, ask for clarity and present solutions.
• Complete performance reviews for yourself and for peers when requested.
• Effectively communicate your schedule and maintain an up to date calendar.
• Use BambooHR to request time off and discuss with your supervisor for approval.
• Seek opportunities to add to your position, create functional systems, and ways to increase efficiency.

Team and Culture

• Genuine, direct, and caring for all team members and participants.
• Never just walk past a problem.
• Be timely and prepared 5 minutes early.
• Be as human as possible within professional boundaries.
• Bring your whole self to work.
• Effectively communicate, advocate, disagree, and suggest strategies and programming adjustments.
• Be comfortable making independent decisions inline with Arete’s mission and the scope of your position.
• Ask for help and clarity frequently, and offer assistance frequently.
• Be growth oriented and communicate about your desired rate of professional growth.

Expectations 

• Up to 40 hours per week.
• Follow through on the completion of projects, work, assignments, calls, and meetings.
• Meet with your supervisor weekly. 
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned due to need, new responsibilities may be assessed by either the Program Director or the Director of Operations to ensure there is capacity for the new responsibilities within the role.

Qualifications:

• An interest in working with emerging adults
• Excellent executive functioning skills, organized, and the ability to resolve challenges inline with Arete mission and services.
• Integrity, trustworthiness and professionalism. A strong ability to complete tasks independently and in a timely manner.
• Can quickly develop a complete understanding of how to use Google Suite Applications, AllevaSoft Electronic Medical Record, and other Arete software programs.
• Must be able to pass a background investigation (National and Vermont Database checks).

Compensation:

• Competitive hourly pay commensurate with experience.
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance Options Available for Full Time Employees.
• Annual Training Stipend and professional development opportunities.
• A supportive team and work environment.